Articles

It is a countercultural, widely unacceptable notion to say you are not the owner of your own body. Again and again we instead read or hear things like this: “You are your own person. What you do with your body is entirely up to you. It’s nobody else’s business.” So when we read Paul’s reminder to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, it hits like a ballistic missile, exploding the mythologies of our day.

Topics: Articles

If we were to conduct a survey with only one question on it, “What does it mean to follow Jesus Christ?” we would receive many different answers. Some would say that following Jesus means being religious, others that it means attending church, and still others that it means learning what Jesus taught, putting into practice the Sermon on the Mount, or loving your neighbor. But while these responses all get at part of the whole truth, their sum would not provide a complete answer.

Topics: Articles

Freedom in Christ is one of the great benefits of knowing God. Many Christians rightly value this wonderful gift. It’s common, however, for people to tout this freedom as a rationale for doing what they want when they want with whomever they want. Believers with a mistaken notion of Christian freedom may watch things they shouldn’t watch, can be influenced by people they shouldn’t imitate, and can say things they shouldn’t say, all the while forgoing biblical instruction and Christian fellowship. In the words of Peter, they are “using … freedom as a cover-up for evil” (1 Peter 2:16).

Topics: Articles

The first-century church in Ephesus did many things right. The risen and ascended Jesus Himself commended the church for its arduous work for the Gospel, its faithfulness to Him in the face of persecution, and its commitment to the truth (Rev. 2:2–3). But despite all this high praise, the task-oriented, tough-minded, truth-telling fellowship at Ephesus lacked a crucial element. In His letter to the Ephesian church in the book of Revelation, Jesus said, “I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first” (Rev. 2:4).

Topics: Articles

“Life is tough, and then you die.” Maybe you’ve heard that sentiment in a song, read it on a bumper sticker, or scrolled past something similar on social media. Perhaps it lacks some nuance, but in a way, it is actually quite accurate: life in this world is often challenging, and we are all going to leave it behind one day.

Topics: Articles

When Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy, his explicit goal was that his protégé might “know how one ought to behave in the household of God” (1 Tim. 3:15). The letter is thus a wonderful resource for the church as it asks questions about what it should do and how it should do it. And Among Paul’s many concerns in 1 Timothy, and the one he presents “first of all” is “that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (1 Tim. 2:1, emphasis added).

Topics: Articles

“By a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14)

Topics: Articles

Men are often masters of delegation. Give them a task, and they can quickly assign just the right person to do it. A simple phone call? Let the office assistant make the connection. Household chore? One of the kids can get it done.

Delegation can be a wonderful thing—but what about abdication? What if we assign away our responsibilities?

Topics: Articles

Genesis 1:27“So God created man in his own image,
  in the image of God he created him;
  male and female he created them.”

Topics: Articles

Even in a time of tumult and uncertainty regarding education in our culture, the book of Proverbs remains a timeless course in wise living. It’s self-described purpose is for its readers “to know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth” (Prov. 1:2–4). It teaches us what it means to walk the path God has appointed.

Topics: Articles